Lisa-Maria Kellermayr, an Austrian doctor who promoted vaccination against COVID-19, committed suicide. She was bullied by anti-vaccineers for months. Austrians are shocked.
Note: the article deals with the topic of suicide death. If you have thoughts of taking your own life, don’t wait and seek help. Tell a trusted person, your doctor, or use one of the free helplines. We list the phones under the article. You are not alone.
- Austrians are moved by the suicide death of a doctor who advocates vaccination against COVID-19
- The woman was intimidated by anti-vaccines and closed her office due to threats
- There are allegations that the police and the authorities did not help the doctor enough
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Austria: suicide of a doctor who promoted vaccination against COVID-19
Lisa-Maria Kellermayr was found dead on Friday, she left her farewell letters – the prosecutor’s office reported, without giving their content. It excludes an act of violence and confirms suicide.
“This hatred must finally end”, “death threats against (Kellermayr) and her employees were a harsh reality,” wrote Austrian Health Minister Johannes Rauch on Twitter, adding that the doctor “dedicated her life to the health and welfare of others”.
Vienna mayor Michael Ludwig, also a staunch supporter of vaccines, said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of a dedicated doctor who had been forced to close her practice due to numerous threats. Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen declared that “hatred and intolerance have no place in our Austria”.
A ceremony to commemorate the doctor has been announced on Monday evening at Stephansplatz in the center of Vienna.
Further part below the video.
The ARD TV correspondent also emphasizes that the Austrian authorities are severely criticized in this matter. “The police and prosecutor’s offices that are investigating the death threat are accused of reacting too late and having done too little,” he notes.
Florian Klenk, editor-in-chief of the Viennese weekly “Falter”, who knew the doctor well and had recently talked for hours on the phone, reported that she was “traumatized, shocked, terrified” by the hatred she encountered online, and – as he said – the lack of help from the police and the authorities. As ARD reminds, the doctor finally closed her practice due to threats and hired an armed bodyguard at her own expense.
The regional police directorate in the state of Upper Austria has dismissed the criticism. She assured that since November last year, the officers were in constant contact with the doctor and tried to ensure her protection. Everything possible was done, the police declared.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can use the free helplines:
⦁ Antidepressant Helpline (from Monday to Friday, 15-20) – 22 484 88 01,
⦁ The helpline for adults in an emotional crisis, daily from 14 to 22 – 116 123,
⦁ A helpline for children and young people, open 116/111 – XNUMX XNUMX,
⦁ You can always just call the emergency number 112 and report the threat to your life or someone you know is planning to kill yourself.
Author: Berenika Lemańczyk / PAP